As of July 1st, House Bill 60 took effect at all 450 airports nationwide. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is aware of HB 60, and will adhere to the policies and procedures regarding this bill.

The bill prohibits firearms as carry-ons, but can be transported in checked bags if they are unloaded, properly packed and declared to the airline. Any individual who brings a firearm to security checkpoints will be referred to law enforcement and are subject to criminal penalties. A passenger could be subject to federal criminal prosecution by the U.S. Department of Justice based on the totality of the facts and circumstances.

In addition, the TSA will impose a civil penalty for firearms discovered at the TSA security checkpoint, fines ranging from $1,500 up to $11,000 for a single civil penalty, regardless of state and/or local laws. Every time the TSA discovers a firearm in a bag at the checkpoint, it delays the screening process for all travelers at the checkpoint.

As of June 30th. 2014, more than 975 firearms have been discovered at TSA checkpoints nationwide, with nearly 50 of those discovered at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. In 2013, 1,813 firearms were discovered nationwide, 111 of them at the Atlanta-Hartsfield Airport. TSA assessed nearly $1.7 million in civil penalties for firearms in carry-on bags nationwide; nearly $97,000 in civil penalties for firearms in carry-on bags at airports in Georgia

TSA screens approximately 1.8 million passengers and their luggage every day for prohibited items, including weapons and explosives. To do this, TSA uses imaging technology to safely screen passengers for any items which may be concealed under clothing, while Advanced Technology (AT) X-ray units screen all carry-on baggage. TSA takes the discovery of prohibited items seriously and urges all passengers to check the contents of their bags before leaving home to ensure they are not bringing any prohibited items to the airport — including firearms, firearm parts and ammunition.